28 Cruelty-Free Beauty Brands You Need to Know

As the Grab Your Wallet boycott has proved, there's real power in how you spend your money. And for the socially conscious animal lovers among us, the same can be said about what beauty brands you support. But it isn't always easy to tell which cosmetics are truly cruelty-free. Carefully worded brand statements, the ways ingredients are sourced, and different labeling criteria can make shopping tricky to navigate. That's why we narrowed down a few of our favorites for you. Some are niche brands you might not have discovered yet, and others are probably in your makeup bag right now. The common thread: None stands for testing on animals. So go forth and save the bunnies by acquainting yourself with the following lines and their most-loved hero products. (And in case you're ever curious about which brands to shop (or not) based on your personal beliefs, Leaping Bunny has a handy list of beauty companies that never test on animals and never buy ingredients from sources that do.)

Amika

Amika is kind of a rebel when it comes to beauty. It was founded in Brooklyn in 2007 with the belief that products should be fun and full of experimentation. The brand's hero product, Perk Up Dry Shampoo, soaks up oil without feeling dirty and heavy like other dry shampoos. Oh, and did we mention all its products smell like heaven?

Antonym Cosmetics

Miami makeup artist Val Giraud believes that natural makeup doesn't need to look natural, so she created Antonym Cosmetics in 2010 to fill the hole she saw in the industry. All of the packaging is made with sustainable materials like bamboo, and the blushes are baked in terra-cotta pans to help keep their shape.

BH Cosmetics

Affordable palettes? Collaborations with influencers like Carli Bybel? The most glorious, light-catching highlighters? Check, check, and check. And now you'll feel even better sweeping on those shades knowing they weren't tried on a guinea pig.

Desert Essence

Desert Essence is all about natural products that help you feel renewed, like this facial oil made with jojoba oil, marula oil, evening primrose oil, and argan oil that leaves your skin soft and glowy. A portion of the proceeds go to the Because I Am a Girl Initiative too, so it's doing more than helping just your skin.

Dermalogica

No frills, no irritants, no animal testing: The skin care products Dermalogica makes are just damn good. Ask anyone who's a fan of its cult exfoliating powder—it's gentle on even the most sensitive skin.

Drybar

It's your favorite blowout mecca now in the convenience of a can. After creating her wildly successful blow-dry bar, hairstylist Alli Webb decided to sell all the products and tools used in the shop so you can give yourself a great blowout at home. The key to making it last? This delightfully scented dry shampoo.

EO

In 1995 EO's founders were asked to create essential oils for the Bloomingdale's holiday gift guide, and by 2004 they became a certified organic manufacturer, quickly getting picked up by Whole Foods. By 2011 the brand became the first personal care company to be certified non-GMO. Now it sells tons of amazing, safe products like this minty shower gel, shampoos, conditioners, and moisturizers.

Erbaviva

Started as an organic baby skin care line in 1996, Erbaviva now uses USDA-certified ingredients to give you the closest thing to baby-butt skin. Case in point: This scrub makes your skin tighter and smoother by stimulating circulation with exfoliating oil-infused salt.

Fenty Beauty

Fenty likely needs no introduction considering it pretty much broke the Internet when Rihanna launched it in September 2017—after two years of development. But clearly it was time well spent: With 40 foundation shades that truly run the gamut, the brand's been met with critical acclaim. Even better, both Rihanna herself and Bold PR, the firm that reps Fenty, confirmed the line is entirely cruelty-free and does not sell in China.

Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation, $34, sephora.com. Fenty does not have its policy posted, but you can read more on the brand here.

It's a 10

Instead of using a dozen different products, you can find 10 key benefits—from detangling to frizz control—in one little bottle. The Miracle Leave-In is by far the star. (It won a 2017 Glamour Beauty Award!) It's packed with natural ingredients, like sunflower seed extract, which acts as a sunscreen; green tea leaf extract, which is full of antioxidants for protection; silk amino acids to restore moisture and shine; and citric acid to promote strength.

Ilia

Come for the gorgeous pigments and substantial color payoff, stay for the fact that this natural line features 85 percent organic ingredients (and, ya know, is kind to animals). We'd bet money that this universally flattering wine shade (Lucy's Party) would look great on you.

Indie Lee

Founder Indie Lee survived a life-threatening brain tumor that she believes was caused by environmental toxins, so she decided to create her own eco-friendly beauty line that's equal parts chic and clean. This oil is made with 100 percent pure, olive-derived squalane oil to help improve your skin's texture and tone without clogging your pores. Also, c'mon. How pretty is that bottle?

Kat Von D

In July 2016 the makeup artist made Facebook feeds explode with delight at the news she was taking her (already cruelty-free) line vegan, meaning—in addition to not testing on animals—the ingredients in KVD products don't contain anything that's an animal byproduct, like beeswax or carmine, a dye made from beetles' wings (yes, that's a common additive). So swipe that Tattoo liner soundly—and sharply.

Leonor Greyl

Jean-Marie Greyl, the first to add vitamins into her shampoos, started her hair care brand back in 1968 with all environmentally safe, organic ingredients, and it's since grown into a family business. Slather her award-winning hair mask on for 10 minutes in the shower and let its nourishing oils work their magic.

Lime Crime

The shades Lime Crime repeatedly shocks us with are so vibrant it's almost criminal. The brand has earned a cult Instagram following thanks to its sell-out products like unicorn eyeshadows and citrus orange liquid lipsticks. The formulas are all vegan, stay on all day, and come in dozens of fun, statement-making shades.

Meow Meow Tweet

All of the brand's skin care products are vegan, organic, and all-natural, and are made in small batches, so you know the stuff you're slathering on is fresh. Plus, the packaging is just so darn cute! One of our favorite can't-shut-up-about products? This natural deodorant that actually keeps you smelling great all day.

Milani

If the name sounds familiar, it's probably because you've been seeing the brand's popular rose blush all over Pinterest. What you might not know? This high-quality drugstore line is also cruelty-free. This foundation is a fan favorite because it starts out sheer and builds to full coverage depending on how much you apply.

S.W. Basics

This brand believes less is more, so every product is filled with just the essentials (which also just so happens to be the title of founder Adina Grigore's new book—it's great for anyone who's still confused about essential oils). Its shining star: This soothing and detoxifying mask clears out your pores and evens your skin tone.

Suntegrity

After losing her mother to skin cancer, founder Tricia Timble became obsessed with sunscreen and how it's formulated. So she decided to start her own line made with non-nano size zinc oxide, a rock star ingredient used in physical sunblocks. Her products not only protect your skin, but they repair it too, with hydrating and anti-inflammation ingredients.

Tata Harper

You can't talk natural or cruelty-free beauty without Tata Harper. The line is made of 100 percent natural ingredients and manufactured in her lab in Vermont. This cleanser is a favorite because it cleanses while gently exfoliating without stripping your skin of its moisture.

The Body Shop

You know it from the mall, but the brand has a rich backstory you've probably never heard. Dame Anita Roddick founded The Body Shop in Brighton, England, in 1976 with the mission to "enrich not exploit." The brand works with farmers to source ingredients and has never tested on animals since its start. Its products are filled with ingredients like black cumin seed oil from Egypt, rosehip seed oil, and camellia seed oil from China (which is found in this cream) to help keep your skin looking vibrant.

Too Faced

Yes! Too Faced is still cruelty-free. Fans of the brand were concerned when it was bought out by parent company Estée Lauder, but founder Jerrod Blandino has assured the brand is sticking to its ethos: fun, Instagram-friendly makeup (like its crazy popular Sweet Peach palette) that are never tested on animals.

Tom's of Maine

In 1970 Tom and Kate Chappell decided to start their own company when they couldn't find any natural products in their new home of Kennebunk, Maine. They started by making non-phosphate laundry detergent, then expanded into personal care with a natural toothpaste and deodorant soon after. Now the brand makes products like this body wash, filled with natural ingredients like sunflower oil, vitamin E, and fair trade Moroccan argan oil.

Urban Decay

Founder Wende Zomnir created a line of nail polishes and lipsticks in the midnineties for beauty lovers who were officially over nudes and light pinks, and since then, the brand has exploded into one of the most beloved on earth among beauty fanatics. As if it needs the introduction, though. Either way, we're sure it's reassuring to know your favorite eyeshadow palettes are cruelty-free.

Yes To

It's hard to miss the bright and colorful packaging in your drugstore beauty aisle, but here are some more reasons to reach for those refreshing cucumber wipes: The brand's products are made with recyclable materials and are Leaping Bunny certified, and a portion of its profits go toward the Yes to Seed Fund, which helps empower women to lead healthier, more positive lives.